How balanced are you when you are riding? How balanced does your horse feel when you are riding? Does it lean on the bit on one side more than the other? Does one lead come more easily than the other?
Have you considered your horse's imbalance could be you?
You may think you are perfectly balanced but imagine carrying a 10 gallon bucket of water in each hand. One is completely full of water, and the other is empty. Are your shoulders level? Are you walking in a straight line? Is it easy to move? I know that its an over exaggeration of what can happen, but if you are riding your horse and you are imbalanced, this is transferring to your horse. Think of having a 5lb. weight hanging off your left stirrup, and no weights hanging off your right stirrup.
Your horse is sensitive to your seat. If you have a slight lean, or pelvic rotation it will directly affect your horse's balance. Rider imbalance will also affect wear on the saddle. If you are unknowingly unbalanced in your spine and frame you will also create imbalances in your horse. This will lead to subluxation and soreness in your horse, which will affect performance and overall behavior.
Have your trainer or friend watch you sit in the saddle at a halt and check for balance. From the back are the stirrups, shoulders and hips level? From each side, how is your posture? Is one shoulder rotating more forward than the other?
While riding, are your shoulders, pelvis and back bone square and straight? How are your shoulders?
If any imbalances exist, you could be contributing to your horse's imbalance. The best way to relieve your imbalance that is effecting your horse is through chiropractic. Chiropractic treatment will balance your spine, nerves and muscles. Chiropractic treatment is not a one time quick fix, it will take time to achieve proper body balance. Your body took its time getting in that position and will need some time and work to be in better balance. Just call your present or local Chiropractor or ask your Animal Chiropractor (who initially worked on people) for a spinal evaluation.
Call and schedule a spinal examination for you and your horse!
Stacey Reynolds D.C.
Reynolds Animal Chiropractic
Helping to enhance the animal - Human bond
www.reynoldsanimalchiropractic.com
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Dirty saddle pads like dirty underwear?
First of all I would like to start off to note that I am not a one time use and wash person, I don't have the amount of saddle pads for that or the time to spend washing clothes.
The other day I was preparing for the schooling show at the barn I board my horse at and I noticed how dirty my saddle pad was. I remember my old trainer consistently ask me if I wore dirty clothes or especially dirty underwear. I would always reply no and so she asked me if I would want my horse wearing dirty clothes...well of course not. She would then show me my saddle pad and I would see how disgusting and caked dirt/mud would be on that thing. Gross!
I ask all of you to take a look under your saddle pad after riding and see how dirty it is or isn't and decide if you would like that rubbing on your back. Caked on dirt can irritate your horse's skin and create uneven pressure points. This irritation can lead to back sores and possible subluxations. Plus it can give you a good indication how your saddle is sitting and wearing on your horse with you on it. Just take a look. We owe a lot more to our horses to give them the courtesy of a clean saddle pad since we prefer to wear clean clothes ourselves.
The other day I was preparing for the schooling show at the barn I board my horse at and I noticed how dirty my saddle pad was. I remember my old trainer consistently ask me if I wore dirty clothes or especially dirty underwear. I would always reply no and so she asked me if I would want my horse wearing dirty clothes...well of course not. She would then show me my saddle pad and I would see how disgusting and caked dirt/mud would be on that thing. Gross!
I ask all of you to take a look under your saddle pad after riding and see how dirty it is or isn't and decide if you would like that rubbing on your back. Caked on dirt can irritate your horse's skin and create uneven pressure points. This irritation can lead to back sores and possible subluxations. Plus it can give you a good indication how your saddle is sitting and wearing on your horse with you on it. Just take a look. We owe a lot more to our horses to give them the courtesy of a clean saddle pad since we prefer to wear clean clothes ourselves.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
The Importance of Rider Balance
How balanced are you when you are riding? How balanced does your horse feel when you are riding? Does it lean on the bit on one side more than the other? Does one lead come more easily than the other?
Have you considered your horse's imbalance could be you?
You may think you are perfectly balanced but imagine carrying a 10 gallon bucket of water in each hand. One is completely full of water, and the other is empty. Are your shoulders level? Are you walking in a straight line? Is it easy to move? I know that its an over exaggeration of what can happen, but if you are riding your horse and you are imbalanced, this is transferring to your horse. Think of having a 5lb. weight hanging off your left stirrup, and no weights hanging off your right stirrup.
Your horse is sensitive to your seat. If you have a slight lean, or pelvic rotation it will directly affect your horse's balance. Rider imbalance will also affect wear on the saddle. If you are unknowingly unbalanced in your spine and frame you will also create imbalances in your horse. This will lead to subluxation and soreness in your horse, which will affect performance and overall behavior.
Have your trainer or friend watch you sit in the saddle at a halt and check for balance. From the back are the stirrups, shoulders and hips level? From each side, how is your posture? Is one shoulder rotating more forward than the other?
While riding, are your shoulders, pelvis and back bone square and straight? How are your shoulders?
If any imbalances exist, you could be contributing to your horse's imbalance. The best way to relieve your imbalance that is effecting your horse is through chiropractic. Chiropractic treatment will balance your spine, nerves and muscles. Chiropractic treatment is not a one time quick fix, it will take time to achieve proper body balance. Your body took its time getting in that position and will need some time and work to be in better balance. Just call your present or local Chiropractor or ask your Animal Chiropractor (who initially worked on people) for a spinal evaluation.
Have you considered your horse's imbalance could be you?
You may think you are perfectly balanced but imagine carrying a 10 gallon bucket of water in each hand. One is completely full of water, and the other is empty. Are your shoulders level? Are you walking in a straight line? Is it easy to move? I know that its an over exaggeration of what can happen, but if you are riding your horse and you are imbalanced, this is transferring to your horse. Think of having a 5lb. weight hanging off your left stirrup, and no weights hanging off your right stirrup.
Your horse is sensitive to your seat. If you have a slight lean, or pelvic rotation it will directly affect your horse's balance. Rider imbalance will also affect wear on the saddle. If you are unknowingly unbalanced in your spine and frame you will also create imbalances in your horse. This will lead to subluxation and soreness in your horse, which will affect performance and overall behavior.
Have your trainer or friend watch you sit in the saddle at a halt and check for balance. From the back are the stirrups, shoulders and hips level? From each side, how is your posture? Is one shoulder rotating more forward than the other?
While riding, are your shoulders, pelvis and back bone square and straight? How are your shoulders?
If any imbalances exist, you could be contributing to your horse's imbalance. The best way to relieve your imbalance that is effecting your horse is through chiropractic. Chiropractic treatment will balance your spine, nerves and muscles. Chiropractic treatment is not a one time quick fix, it will take time to achieve proper body balance. Your body took its time getting in that position and will need some time and work to be in better balance. Just call your present or local Chiropractor or ask your Animal Chiropractor (who initially worked on people) for a spinal evaluation.
Monday, April 19, 2010
NAVICULAR SYNDROME
A common complaint among horses with a different approach
The navicular bone serves two purposes. The first is that it acts as a shock absorber and fulcrum for the flexor tendons. The second job of this bone is its ability to help turn on and off blood flow to the coffin bone and hoof.
Symptoms of Navicular Syndrome are: Front leg lameness, inability to go down hill, hesitant to turn, and weight shifted behind front legs.
Common causes are shoe or hoof trimming issues. This syndrome is not genetic but rather acquired. A very common problem that goes unstated is that of poor biomechanics of the rear legs, pelvis and low back leading to Navicular Syndrome. The horse normally carries 65 percent of their weight on the front legs, but when the low back, sacroiliac or pelvic bones do not move freely there is a weight shift and increase in weight bearing on the front legs. This weight shift will cause strain on the Flexor Tendons of the front legs and eventual chronic inflammation of the navicular bone. Chronic inflammation leads to a breakdown of the navicular bone and eventual disease. This alteration in the front hoof will necessitate a change in shoeing and or trimming, but this is just a treatment for the symptoms and not the elimination of the cause. Your Vet will also prescribe anti-inflammatory medication.
You may be asking yourself what else can be done; well having an Equine Chiropractor evaluate your horse after your Vet has seen him is paramount to getting at the possible cause. If there is a Subluxation in the aforementioned regions then the chiropractor may be able to help eliminate the cause of this syndrome. The best time is of course is long before a Navicular Syndrome occurs. Keeping your horse well balanced with periodic chiropractic evaluations, massage, stretching and farrier visits is the best way to prevent Navicular Syndrome and to keep your best friend healthy.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
How Do I know if My Horse Needs Chiropractic Care?
Some conditions which may indicate a need for Chiropractic Care:
- Back, Neck, Leg or Tail pain.
- Injuries resulting from slips, falls or training.
- Performance or movement problems.
- Sudden changes in behavior or personality such as bucking, refusals, crabbiness.
- Refusal to pick up a lead.
- Cinchy behavior.
- Sluggish performance.
- Uneven pelvis or hips.
- Sensitivity to touch.
- Inability to engage the hindquarters.
- Difficulty bending or flexing the body or poll.
- Frequent show schedule.
These are just some common conditions that may indicate your horse should see a trained and certified animal chiropractor. You should always check with your vet on any lameness conditions, as your
Friday, January 8, 2010
This is from a friend of mine, she is trying to save a horse from slaughter! There are still horses that need to be saved. I have found a lady having some shipped to MI, I can get there if I can raise the $ to save it!! This is my start to a Equine Rescue folks...I need help to save this horse from going ...to Canada ...or Mexico for food!!! paypal @ justkeepriding@hotmail.com mark horse rescue fund/
The main problem is horses are being over bred. Pretty much all domesticated animals are. Just because they are capable of breeding doesn't mean that they should be bred. Please do what you can to help save these horses. $10 is better than nothing. My friend who will take them has the room and food, just finding a ride and paying for gas is the problem. She has had horses most of her life and will rehab them.
Thanks for reading
The main problem is horses are being over bred. Pretty much all domesticated animals are. Just because they are capable of breeding doesn't mean that they should be bred. Please do what you can to help save these horses. $10 is better than nothing. My friend who will take them has the room and food, just finding a ride and paying for gas is the problem. She has had horses most of her life and will rehab them.
Thanks for reading
Friday, January 1, 2010
Winter Riding
Hello All,
Its been a while since I have blogged. The topic I wanted to touch on today is a proper warm-up and cool down for winter riding. Most of us are riding to improve the performance of our horses, prepare for the spring show season, or just keep them in shape. Since its winter, most of the horses are either inside or just standing around hoping to catching a few warm sun rays. The most important thing to do before schooling to prevent injuries in your horse it to have a good long warm up and you can even incorporate your schooling in the warm-up.
A good 10-15 minute warm up before a lesson or schooling will help warm up a horse's muscles and you can even incorporate circles, serpentine, walk-halt transitions, spirals, or any other shapes. You want your horse's muscles to be warmed up and loose in preparation for more demands being placed upon them. They have most likely been standing in a stall or outside in the cold, so they need a little more time to get their bodies warmed up. If they are blanketed or clipped or both, I would suggest initially using a wool cooler or quarter sheet so it won't be a shock to the muscles that have been warm under a blanket. Just remove it once the horse is warmed up. I always recommend stretching after the horse is warmed up. Warm muscles stretch, cold muscles tear! You can do a few isolated stretches just to limber up your horse even more. Human athletes do stretches to prevent injury, so it can only help your horse.
After schooling, be sure to stretch and walk your horse until dry. I suggest an anti-sweat sheet or wool cooler. I prefer wool just because I always seem to drop the polar fleece and it gets full of shavings or whatever else I drop it in! Lol. This is especially important! The weather is cold, its just like taking a bath and then going and sitting outside. Most horses grow a nice winter coat that is designed to keep them warm in any weather, but if its wet to the skin from sweat, there is no protection for them.
Winter riding should be just as much fun as riding in warmer weather, the goal is to improve the performance of our horses and keeping them injury free so you both can enjoy riding. Have fun!
Its been a while since I have blogged. The topic I wanted to touch on today is a proper warm-up and cool down for winter riding. Most of us are riding to improve the performance of our horses, prepare for the spring show season, or just keep them in shape. Since its winter, most of the horses are either inside or just standing around hoping to catching a few warm sun rays. The most important thing to do before schooling to prevent injuries in your horse it to have a good long warm up and you can even incorporate your schooling in the warm-up.
A good 10-15 minute warm up before a lesson or schooling will help warm up a horse's muscles and you can even incorporate circles, serpentine, walk-halt transitions, spirals, or any other shapes. You want your horse's muscles to be warmed up and loose in preparation for more demands being placed upon them. They have most likely been standing in a stall or outside in the cold, so they need a little more time to get their bodies warmed up. If they are blanketed or clipped or both, I would suggest initially using a wool cooler or quarter sheet so it won't be a shock to the muscles that have been warm under a blanket. Just remove it once the horse is warmed up. I always recommend stretching after the horse is warmed up. Warm muscles stretch, cold muscles tear! You can do a few isolated stretches just to limber up your horse even more. Human athletes do stretches to prevent injury, so it can only help your horse.
After schooling, be sure to stretch and walk your horse until dry. I suggest an anti-sweat sheet or wool cooler. I prefer wool just because I always seem to drop the polar fleece and it gets full of shavings or whatever else I drop it in! Lol. This is especially important! The weather is cold, its just like taking a bath and then going and sitting outside. Most horses grow a nice winter coat that is designed to keep them warm in any weather, but if its wet to the skin from sweat, there is no protection for them.
Winter riding should be just as much fun as riding in warmer weather, the goal is to improve the performance of our horses and keeping them injury free so you both can enjoy riding. Have fun!
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